Express & Star

Walsall cafe opening on Christmas Day to feed homeless and lonely

A community cafe will be opening their doors on Christmas Day to serve lunch to homeless and isolated people in Walsall.

Published
Last updated
Bakers Sandwiches in Walsall is opening up on Christmas day for the homeless. Pictured are owner Mark Holowczak and volunteer Wayne Smith

Mark Holowczak, owner of Bakers Sandwich Bar in Birmingham Road, Walsall, decided to open the cafe on the holiday to support "anyone who needs a meal at Christmas".

The cafe, which opened four months ago, will serve Christmas dinners and puddings to the homeless and also those who are alone on the day.

They will also be handing out goodie bags filled with toiletries, fruit and chocolate as gifts for their guests.

Mark said: "There are a lot of homeless people in Walsall and I wanted to do something to help the community and give something back.

"Christmas is a time for giving, and a lot of people in the area think it's a really good idea and some of the residents have even donated money to go towards the meal."

Joan and Jessie Baker pictured in 2014

Mark advertised in the window of the cafe for anyone who would like to volunteer on Christmas Day to help him prepare and serve the meals.

He will led a team of seven volunteers who will be working together to ensure all of the guests have a Merry Christmas.

Before opening the cafe, Mark had helped look after elderly twins Jessie and Joan Baker who lived near him

Joan died this year at the age of 100, while Jessie died two years ago at the age of 98.

Joan had always suggested to Mark that he should start his own cafe, and after they passed away, he opened Bakers cafe in their memory.

Mark added: "If they were here they would love it, they'd be sat there all day as they were both heavily into supporting charities."